Emma Postlethwaite
Taunton,Somerset
Summary
My role as Head of School at Plymtree C of E Primary School has enabled me to become an experienced educational leader with a focus on holistic student development and fostering academic excellence as I believe the two are closely linked. A child who is safe and happy will learn and develop well.
Within this role I have driven strategic initiatives and built a collaborative environment to enhance teaching standards and student engagement. My strong background in curriculum innovation and promoting a relational support approach within the school, has enabled our pupils to to achieve outstanding educational outcomes from their starting points.
I have fostered and encouraged strong and trusting relationships with families and carers within our school. This has created a strong 'family' feel which ensures the children in our care are listened to, supported and nurtured to enable them to become the very best they can.
My role as Designated Safeguarding Lead means I am skilled in maintaining confidential records, coordinating safeguarding procedures, and ensuring adherence to statutory guidelines. I am committed to providing a safe and secure environment through meticulous attention to detail and strong organisational abilities.
I can offer a solid foundation in educational leadership, communication, and team collaboration. I am knowledgeable about curriculum development, staff mentoring, and fostering an inclusive learning environment.
I am an empathetic and dependable individual with background in evaluating and addressing individual pupils needs and concerns. I am experienced at conducting individual and group interviews to assess needs and situations and am able to respond calmly to manage crisis and emergency situations.
My role as Head of School and Curriculum Lead for Science, PSHE and Writing across our organisiation requires me to compile and summarise both written and face to face reports for governors on a termly basis.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
9
9
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Head of School
Plymtree Church of England Primary School
Plymtree, Devon
2019.09 - Current
- Designated Safeguarding Lead with responsibility for Safeguarding and Child Protection across the school and support across the federation.
- Establish strong school culture by implementing shared values and expectations.
- Advocate for student welfare whilst liaising with external agencies and local authorities.
- Enhance academic performance with a focus on individualised learning plans including developing MyPlans in line with EHCPs.
- Promote inclusivity in the classroom to instil respect for diversity among students.
- Developed an (often ever-changing due to the evolving structure of the school) rigorous curriculum enabling improved educational outcomes.
- Collaborate with teachers for better lesson planning and delivery.
- Formulate strategic plans for continuous school improvement as Federation curriculum lead for PSHE, Writing, SIAMS and Science. To include development planning, monitoring and reviews.
- Creating and presenting reports to governors on data, attendance and curriculum development.
- Hire and mentor well-qualified job applicants for teaching and support staff roles, boosting programme success.
- Maintaining high standards of staff performance through regular appraisals and feedback and signposting to relevant CPD.
- Conduct regular meetings with staff members, facilitated open communication within the team.
- Manage budgets to ensure efficient use of resources.
- Analyse attendance data challenging and providing support where needed.
- Creating timetables for the running of the school, including TA deployment, intervention sessions and break-time duties.
- Responsible for the planning and delivery of lessons to a mixed Y3,4,5,6 class for 50% of the week.
- Coordinate extracurricular activities to provide holistic education experience through trip planning, budgeting and risk assessing and support with the running of the daily Breakfast Club.
- Foster positive relationships with parents and community members to enhance school reputation.
- Establish a positive and welcoming atmosphere within the school to provide positive first impressions.
- Design and manage educational programs suitable for individual student needs.
- Oversee activities and functions to maintain compliance with school policies.
- Identify maintenance and repair issues and coordinated service to maintain school grounds and equipment.
Senior Teacher
Kentisbeare C of E Primary School
Kentisbeare, Devon
2003.09 - 2019.08
- Led Science across the federation.
- Planned and delivered engaging lessons across the curriculum and age range.
- Implemented differentiated teaching techniques to support diverse learning styles.
- Kept up-to-date records of student progress and communicated same to parents and guardians regularly.
- Offered individualised instruction to cater for special needs students.
- Facilitated professional development workshops for staff members.
- Integrated real-world examples into lessons to make content relatable for students.
- Implemented behavioural management strategies to maintain classroom orderliness.
- Participated actively in parent-teacher associations, enhancing community relationships.
- Analysed programme trends to identify areas of improvement and recommended corrective actions.
- Assisted in school administrative duties when required by head teacher.
- Coordinated after-school activities, fostering student creativity and teamwork.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Education
UWIC
Cardiff 1993.09 - 1997.07
A-Levels - Human Biology
Richard Huish College
Taunton 1990.09 - 1992.06
A-Levels - Business Studies
Richard Huish College
Taunton, Somerset 1990.09 - 1992.06
A-Levels - Home Economics
Ricahrd Huish College
Taunton, Somerset 1990.09 - 1992.06
Skills
Level 3 Child Protection refresher - March 2024
First Aid at work -
Thrive Practitioner - August 2016
PIPs - initially trained June 2014 refresh bi-anually
Level 3 Forest School Practitioner - April 2010
Affiliations
- Crafting, socialising, camping, pets, cooking, reading
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Head of School
Plymtree Church of England Primary School
2019.09 - Current
Senior Teacher
Kentisbeare C of E Primary School
2003.09 - 2019.08
Bachelor of Arts - Education
UWIC
1993.09 - 1997.07
A-Levels - Human Biology
Richard Huish College
1990.09 - 1992.06
A-Levels - Business Studies
Richard Huish College
1990.09 - 1992.06
A-Levels - Home Economics
Ricahrd Huish College
1990.09 - 1992.06